In order to turn the tide in the pandemic, scientists are searching for the novel coronavirus’s vulnerabilities. 

This infographic illustrates targets in the replication cycle of the virus, and potential therapeutic routes. 

Of particular interest is the virus spike protein, which is:

● required for binding and fusion with the host cell membrane
● on the outer surface of the virion
● a target for the immune system and the antigen for all for vaccines reporting protection in phase 3 trials 

Downstream of entry, targeting replication via either viral proteases or RNA may be possible using anti-virals already in use or in trials. These replication events are common to RNA viruses, rather than specific to SARS-CoV-2.

Thank you to noted illustrator and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Professor  Jennifer E. Fairman, CMI, FAMI. Jennifer is also the Founder of Fairman Studios, LLC. The illustration was created for the “COVID-19 Special Edition” of Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine (magazine: https://lnkd.in/ePw-aRC; video: youtu.be/xRTMXvZ75dY).